CARTRIDGE LOADING MECHANISM

CARTRDIGE LOADING MECHANISM Disk record/playback apparatus (Figures 2 and 3) including a disk drive motor (38) and spindle assembly for interchangeably receiving one of a number of identical disk cartridges (5) each of which contains a recording disk. The apparatus having a pivoted receptacle (3) movable by an operator from a loading station (Figure 2), at which a cartridge may be inserted to a record/playback station (Figure 3) at which a loaded cartridge is located with its encloseddisk mounted for rotation on the spindle assembly. The receptacle having a latch mechanism (6) for engaging a cartridge upon insertion and retaining the loaded cartridge therein against spring pressure as it is moved between loading and record/playback stations. The apparatus including a locating device (10) at the record/playback station onto which a loaded cartridge is accurately positioned and held by a clamp (36) as it is moved into the record/playback station. A loaded cartridge being automatically unlatched and ejected from the receptacle by the spring pressure as a result of overshot movement of the receptacle past the loading station as it is returned by the operator from the record/playback station.